It would be hard for them to compose a score for it anyway, seeing as Fred Ebb died in 2004.
There's already a score. There have been at least two productions of the show already.
As for the comment about the rights being lost, I don't claim to understand the intricacies of securing rights to shows for adaptations, but I think in this case, it's a moot point. The show already exists, which leads me to believe that the rights are solid for it. Whether or not it's performed again is another story.
They were, indeed, pulled. From Kander's own mouth-
"Well, unfortunately, we had a production all set to go in London - with the date set and everything - and Thornton Wilder's nephew withdrew the rights."
Over and Over is unsalvageable, as I said (*arrogant glare* :P ) It really is a score completely at odds with the tone of the play, and just does not work. And it's not that good a score either--though there are two great songs. I think the material itself doesn't really suit K&E
Zorba with Antonio Banderas Chita Rivera as Madame Hortense and some fabulous belter as the Leader.
Please replace David Levaux with a better director. We don't need a Zorba that looks like Checkov.. something he did to fiddler on the roof. And make sure to get a good choreorgrapher as the dance is 60% of the battle.
Actually a Zorba that looks like Chekhov might work quite well. The Reprise production in LA which someone referenced above was staged very much as a concept production with the cast occupying cafe chairs in what passed for a Greek village square and getting up to do their bits as required. It was surprisingly effective.
I'm split on the David Leveaux question. He made a goyishe mess of the Fiddler revival (for shame), but he breathed glorious new life into the Nine revival with Antonio Banderas. Jury's out, but Zorba does seem like a good fit for him. Just PLEASE don't let it be an Encores-style production that "all takes place in the taverna, with a bazouki band onstage... bla-bla-bla". Give Kander and Ebb a FULL production this time, dammit.
I would really like to see Zorba again - although I'd prefer the intimate, rather than starry, big-for-the-sake-of-big approach.
I like some of The Visit - but knowing the original play very well (and that may be the problem) it doesn't convince me it needs to 'sing'. It's a play, at least, that works on the glance and the unspoken so much, that it doesn't seem such a great match. However, I'm happy to be convinced.
I do have a soft spot for The Happy Time and Flora - I'm not sure they're great revival material.
henrik, I guess you're referring to my comment about Benanti as LuPone's daughter in The Rink. You've got to understand that I'm stuck with the indelible image of Liza in that role, having been a fanatic about the OBC, seeing that production 4 times. The paradigm of dumpy overweight Liza being always in the shadows of slim glamorous Chita as her mom is a balance that would be totally inverted with Benanti and LuPone (and NO, this is NOT a dig at Patti's body, folks.) The essence of their relationship is that of a daughter who always comes up short compared to mom, and sorry, but that's not Laura Benanti in my book.